Interacting With Law Enforcement: What You Need To Know

Do you know how to interact with law enforcement to ensure the best possible outcome? Interactions with police officers can be productive and safe if you understand the best way to communicate.

Below are the basic do’s and don’t if you ever find yourself in a face-to-face interaction with a police officer.

Do take notice if you are read your Miranda Rights. If you are in a situation where you are being read the Miranda Warning, listen carefully. Try to control your emotions and the urge to provide explanations. It’s best to remain calm and quiet, only providing your name and identifying information. Anything you say can be used against you in court.

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Do speak calmly and respectfully. Not all interactions result in the reading of the Miranda Warning. In those cases, speak respectfully and calmly with the officer. It is likely they are trying to gather helpful information.

Don’t start an argument. It will never end in your favor if you choose to argue with a police officer. Try to manage your attitude and be as positive as possible even if you feel the officer is not reciprocating a respectful tone.

Don’t make any sudden or suspicious movements. You should never give the officer the idea you are up to something. Remaining calm and keeping your hands visible will keep the situation peaceful and prevent escalating the situation.

Do follow instructions. Not following instructions can escalate very quickly. Make sure you respect the police officer’s requests and follow the instructions with grace and a positive attitude.

Don’t run, ever. If you are afraid, do not run from law enforcement. The best thing you can do is remain calm and don’t act impulsively.

For whatever reason, if you find yourself talking to a police officer, remember these basic tips for the best possible outcome. Following these steps can also make it easier for our office to defend you in a criminal case.

We’re always here to help with your legal needs. Contact our office today to get started on your criminal case at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079! Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!

DACA in 2017: President Trump and The Fate of The Dreamers

The topic of immigration is a sensitive subject. That’s because there are hundreds of thousands of young lives depending on the benefits of DACA, also known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, initiated in 2012 under the Obama Administration. These young individuals came to the US with their families before the age of 16. They have lived in the US for a major part of their lives and the US is their home. They are not officially considered US citizens, but under DACA, they receive permits to work and are relieved of being deported so long as they maintain certain standards. For example, they must be enrolled in high school or college and not be convicted of any serious crimes. DACA, for the most part, is a chance to contribute to the US while bettering their lives.

With the new administration in office, the fate of DACA remains unclear. President Trump has gone back and forth on how he will handle immigration in the US and ultimately DACA. On his campaign trail, he made verbal commitments to eliminate DACA. Over the first 100 days of his presidency, the final decision has yet to be solidified.

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Right now, Dreamers, also known as DACA recipients, can take up work and pursue

degrees through higher education. They have the freedom to make a living, like any other citizen, build the lives they want here in the US, have social security numbers, andeven pay taxes.

According to the Pew Research Center, if the President follows through on overturning DACA, the benefits for Dreamers could end suddenly or it would be phased out by disallowing Dreamers to renew their benefits. It’s evident that neither one of these options are ideal for these young individuals and would change their lives and livelihoods. Equally, the President can also do nothing and keep DACA intact.

Dreamers should be prepared for what may come and we can help! Contact our office today to get started on your immigration and naturalization needs at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079! Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!

Children and Divorce: The Do’s and Don’ts Every Parent Should Know

Divorce is not always an easy decision for a couple. There are many emotions involved and the decision to end the marriage can affect many different family members. This is especially true for children. The life-changing decision of divorce can be awfully difficult for young minds. During a divorce, parents should always remember to not overly involve children in the adult details of the divorce.

familyHere are the Do’s and Dont’s when it comes to children and the divorce process.

Do express how much you love them and that nothing will ever change your love for them.

 Do reiterate that none of this is any of their fault. Oftentimes children question their own behavior and if they are the reason for the divorce.

Do explain the new living arrangements and situations.

Do keep their routine as consistent as possible. Try to attend family events together in order to keep peace and consistency. Make sure they never miss a practice, piano lesson or sports game.

Don’t discuss financial details or any other adult details of the divorce. A child doesn’t need this information and it can only bring on more hurt for the child.

Don’t bring the alleged “someone else” around the children during the divorce process. This goes back to keeping their routine as consistent as possible. Bringing new individuals into the situation can cause confusion.

Don’t use the child as a messenger. Although you may be going through a tough time, your children look up to you and this will be an experience they’ll always remember. Try to keep an amicable line of communication between you and your spouse.

Don’t  ask the child to voice their opinion on the matters of the divorce. The child shouldn’t know all of the adult details and asking them for their opinion would be unfair.

This can be a difficult time for everyone, especially your children. Keeping them happy and healthy throughout this process is the best thing you can do for your family.

Do you need assistance with your divorce? Contact our office today to make this process less stressful than it has to be at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079! Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!

A New Baby Could Mean A Decrease in Your Child Support

Child support may be puzzling, but it doesn’t have to be. Beginning with basics, you are considered the obligor if you have been court ordered to pay child support. In Texas, child support is calculated based on the obligor’s monthly net income. Below is a table showing the breakdown.

CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES BASED ON OBLIGOR’S MONTHLY NET RESOURCES 

1 child              20% of Obligor’s Net Resources

2 children          25% of Obligor’s Net Resources

3 children          30% of Obligor’s Net Resources

4 children          35% of Obligor’s Net Resources

5 children          40% of Obligor’s Net Resources

         6+ children        No less than the amount for 5 children

IMG_8044Today the idea of a blended family is more common than before. Starting a second family with another partner after a divorce or a split-up could mean you could qualify for the Multiple Family Adjusted discount and decrease your monthly child support obligation. Check out the chart below to identify how your monthly child support obligation could be decreased.

Also check out how John was able to decrease his child support after consulting with an attorney:

In 2014, John began paying child support to Sallie for their three children. At that time, John had a monthly net income of $4,200. Based on the child support guidelines, John’s child support obligation was 30% of his net monthly income, which equated to $1,260.00 each month. During January of 2017, John married Lisa and had twins. The total number of children that John was responsible for increased from three to five, which meant that John’s child support will now be based on 25.2% instead of 30%. After John consulted with an attorney, John was able to decrease his monthly new child support obligation down to $1058.40 per month.

John had to consult with his attorney to determine his legal options in asking the court to modify his child support obligation before his decrease in child support could become valid.

For your reference visit,

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cs/calculator/index.php

Please note this link is only a reference. Please consult with an attorney to ensure you receive all proper legal deductions.

Contact our office today to get started because their is a limited time to enroll via phone at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079!
Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!

I Believe I am Entitled To More Than What My Late Parent’s Will Shows

IMG_8231.JPGAn elderly mother, Susan, passed away last month leaving behind her three adult children and grandchildren. She prepared a will shortly before she passed, which left her home, car, and bank accounts to her youngest daughter, Jill, and her granddaughter Tracy. Tracy is Jill’s oldest child. Susan left her other two children, John and Lori, $5,000 each. John was satisfied with his mother’s wishes and the $5,000.00 gift. Lori, however, believed her sister, Jill, persuaded their mother to leave everything to Jill and Tracy, since Jill and Tracy lived with Susan during the last two years of her life. John and Lori lived out of state during Susan’s declining years, so they were unable to offer support and care for their mother. At the last family gathering, Lori recalls their mother stating she wanted her children to split everything equally.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you are not alone. Sometimes families don’t always experience a smooth inheritance of a late loved one’s estate. It’s not uncommon for concerns to arise and questions to develop when families want to contest a loved one’s will.

Here are some legal reasons why someone can contest a will:

  • Lack of testamentary capacity – When you claim that your loved one could not appreciate the document that they were signing. For example your loved one had been diagnosed with dementia before or around the time that the document was signed.
  • Undue influence – this is a claim that your loved one was persuaded or influenced by another party at the time of the will was executed.
  • Due execution – Texas law requires that specific requirements must be in place when a will is executed by your loved one. If it is signed without all the requirements, the will can be claimed to be invalid.
  • Any other noncompliance of Texas law – wills are very detailed and complex documents that require many different requirements. If a will is missing any mandatory requirements, then the validity of the will can be contested in court.

Family members should be aware of the statute of limitations in contesting a will. Below is a table that describes the different time limitations.

Contesting a will in Texas Time Limit
You know that you are an heir Two years from the time the will was admitted to probate.
You don’t know you are an heir. For example you discovery your birth parents later in life. Four years from closing of estate
You’re a minor Two years from the date you reach your majority (legally declared an adult)
Fraud There is no time limit, but you must act quickly after discovering the fraud.

Call WLP today to Let us take away your worry, and discovery your loved one’s true wishes.

Contact our office today to get started because their is a limited time to enroll via phone at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079!
Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!

Avoid Jail Time With The New Marijuana Policy in Harris County

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In Harris County, the new Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program (MMDP) takes a different approach when it comes to possession of marijuana. The Program was put into effect on March 1, 2017, by Harris County District Attorney Ogg.

This program was created specifically by District Attorney Ogg for two important reasons: (1) so that law enforcement can focus time and resources on crimes committed against individuals and property in order to better promote public safety; and (2) to offer a pre-charge option to suspects who would otherwise be booked, regardless of criminal history, and later be stigmatized by a criminal record.

The new program would allow for individuals to avoid being arrested, charged, sentenced to jail time, or face any other criminal punishment if they have possession of less than four ounces of marijuana. However, it is crucial to understand that a suspect is not eligible to participate in the program if they are on bond, probation, pre-trial intervention, or deferred adjudication. Additionally, if a suspect is accused of possession of marijuana within a drug-free zone, like a school, the suspect will not be allowed to participate in the MMDP program.

The MMDP program allows for suspects to take a four-hour “cognitive decision making” class within 90 days of their initial stop and agreement to participate in the Program. The suspect must also agree to pay a $150.00 for the class fee, complete the course within the allotted timeframe, and not break the law before completing the program.

The benefits of the MMDP program is that no criminal charges will be filed against the suspect, and the suspect will not have to worry about a criminal history record for possession of marijuana haunting them down in the future.

For detailed information visit: https://app.dao.hctx.net/OurOffice/MMDP.aspx

Contact our office today to get started because their is a limited time to enroll via phone at (281) 968-8317 or (979) 318-5079!
Click Here to Book Your Appointment With WLP Law!